New Words, New Haircut, and Togetherness

"I'll make use of this potty chair." "I'll just scoot it over here and then I can turn on the water and play in it." Luca was caught in the act. I actually watched him move the potty over and arrange himself up there.

Luca is really starting to get some words out. He now says, "help" and "ball" and babbles non stop. He continues to sign for 'more', 'please', and 'thank-you' and has also added his own form of 'drink' and 'napkin'. It is too cute and so great to communicate with him. He fully understands us now when we talk to him. It has been 7. 5 months since his homecoming. Another great thing was his excitement in seeing me last week and today. I left him at my brother and sister-in-law's house while I went scrapbooking last Friday. I snuck in and watched him play for a while. Suddenly he noticed me and came running (full speed) over to me laughing and holding his arms up. It brought tears to my eyes. Then last night he stayed there again while Mike, Nico, and I went to an overnight camping trip. Heather answered the door with Luca in her arms and he reached over and started laughing hysterically. He didn't even want to go to Mike. It is so awesome to have this little bug know I am mommy and to be so excited to see me!!! Luca is now able to sit and watch TV for about 20 -30 minutes. He loves Barney, Sesame Street, and Clifford the Big Red Dog. I was so excited only because he watches it while I am working on lessons with Nico. As with Nico, once he is understanding the language he is able to sit and watch TV. He loves the singing and dancing and is becoming quite a dancer and gymnast himself (he watches big bro). Luca's new name is NO. He should be saying that soon as he hears it often. He is into everything. But, he is so cute and creative and not even two it is too cute!!! He is now 32" tall and weighs 30 pounds at 22 months of age.

Nico received a new haircut this week. He was trying to let his hair grow out, but decided to cut it because it was in his eyes. But, instead of just asking mom or dad to trim it, he took the scissors on his own and took a chunk out of the front. I took him to get it buzzed. He looks like his little baby self when he came home 6 years ago. His head was shaved and he was so tiny. He looks so cute with it shaved and I love rubbing his fuzzy head.

We had a great weekend together with Nico. There was an overnight camping trip at Shaw Nature Reserve for kids 5-8yo. I thought it would be a great time for Nico and I to get away and spend time together. Mike happened to be off this weekend and went with us. Luckily we stayed in heated cabins, because it was rather chilly last night (they are prediciting snow tonight). We went frog hunting, made s'mores, then taught Nico how to play checkers (which he thought was boring since he knows how to play chess). We stayed up until 10:30pm and then turned in sleeping in our sleeping bags in nice beds. In the morning we had breakfast and a hike in the rain. We made a lot of fun crafts such as stepping stones and gourdes. It was so much fun and great quality time with Nico.

I am sad to say that Brian is going through a rough time. Please say prayers for him that he can get himself together. It breaks my heart to see him hurting so and he refuses to help himself by not taking his medicine he needs to take. I love my sweet boy and miss having him here with us.

Nico and mommy on the night hike looking for frogs. (well, posing here, but the hike was looking for frogs).

Playing checkers. Nico did not know how to play until last night. He learned chess when he was 4 and found checkers to be boring.Nico all snuggled in this morning. Still so adorable when he is sleeping.Nico painting his gourd.Our finished gourds.

Luca gets into the TV.